as in to distort
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition a cynic whose face seems to be permanently deformed by a sneer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb deform contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deform are contort, distort, and warp. While all these words mean "to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting," deform may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or accident of growth.

a face deformed by hatred

How are the words distort and contort related as synonyms of deform?

Distort and contort both imply a wrenching from the natural or normal, but contort suggests a more involved twisting and a more grotesque and painful result.

the odd camera angle distorts the figure
disease had contorted her body

When can warp be used instead of deform?

In some situations, the words warp and deform are roughly equivalent. However, warp indicates an uneven shrinking that bends or twists out of a flat plane.

warped floorboards

Examples of deform in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The most unnerving sequence, however, doesn’t involve the grotesque use of deforming prosthetics or digital mutilation. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2024 In patients with sickle cell, the namesake cells form when mutant hemoglobin proteins clump together into fibers, deforming red blood cells’ usual saucer shape into a curved sickle, which prevents them from effectively delivering oxygen to tissues. Sara Reardon, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 The old Ohio State Reformatory features a variety of creepers, from twisted inmates and deformed prison guards to clowns and zombies. Troy Smith, Axios, 13 Sep. 2024 Volcanoes form mostly where earth's crust is deformed or breaking apart, allowing magma to rise to the surface. David Bressan, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deform 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deform.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near deform

Cite this Entry

“Deform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deform. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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